The Good Neighbor

Exodus 23:4 "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.”

 

Being a good neighbor should come naturally to a man made in God’s image.  The Groves family were our neighbors.  They were farmers who also raised Clydesdales and sold them to the Budweiser Corporation.  We would occasionally walk down and visit when a new little colt was born.  “Little” is a word I use lightly since even the babies were enormous.  I recall one morning that one of the herd wandered down to our house and was contentedly munching in my father’s garden.  We were so excited to see the beautiful creature up close and personal that it seemed like a holiday, even better than a trip to the zoo.  My Dad, being a good neighbor (and slightly annoyed that this giant was eating his carrots) decided to grab him by the halter and I suppose lead him back home.  Well, if you are a horse of many tons and you want to eat carrots out of the neighbor’s garden, a Hoosier coming toward you with a rope might resemble a pest.  My dad grabbed the halter while the horse was happily munching and the Clydesdale slowly lifted up his large head.  I remember watching my Dad’s feet leave the ground.  I wanted to laugh but thought better of it.  My father was small in stature but big in attitude and he had met his match.  That big boy wasn’t going anywhere.  We called for the experts and the handsome fellow gently plodded home with his master.  Our small kindnesses to our neighbors generate memories that are sweet and lasting.  Those who don’t know our Savior are drawn to Him through our random acts of kindness and even the toughest of those hardened hearts can be gently led to the Savior.